Learning Outcomes

Faculty members have developed 12 competencies that they would like to see journalism students develop by the time they finish the program. At the end of the program we will assess our ability in helping you develop these competencies. So don’t be surprised if you see this list again during your time in the program.

News Judgment

Work demonstrates news judgment that identifies and develops story ideas through observation, reading and paying attention to their environment.

Critical and Independent Thinking

Work demonstrates an ability to synthesize information and think independently and work through problems using inference and logic.

Cultural Competence

Work demonstrates an understanding of a variety of cultures and how those cultures influence perspectives, attitudes and personal interaction with the world.

Writing

Work demonstrates concise, clear, and accurate writing that engages the audience with compelling storytelling.

Analytical Competence

Work demonstrates an ability to discern and weigh the quality of information they gather, as well as know how to analyze and interpret it.

Research and Reporting

Work demonstrates an ability to methodically find information through the Internet, public documents and personal interviews.

Media Literacy

Work demonstrates an ability to competently navigate through a rapidly changing media world, understanding media’s influence on society, community and the democratic process, and that students also understand the power of image in shaping society’s understanding of the world.

Ethics, Integrity and the Law

Work demonstrates an understanding of the ethical standards and constitutional laws that guide journalism excellence.

Critical Evaluation

Work demonstrates an ability to critically evaluate their own work and that of others for accuracy and fairness, clarity, appropriate style and grammatical correctness.

Data and Numbers

Work demonstrates an ability to apply basic numerical and statistical concepts.

Technology

Work demonstrates an ability to apply technology in their professional work.

Visual Competence

Work demonstrates an ability to research, find and capture in a technically competent, concise, well composed and visually compelling manner the gamut of human experience in a variety of formats.